No need to be alone on Thanksgiving

Monday

Nov 13, 2017 at 4:00 AM

Several churches and organizations in Beaver County offer Thanksgiving Day dinners that nourish not only body, but spirit. And the dinners aren’t just for those who may not have financial resources. Some may have lost a spouse and find themselves far from family. Empty-nesters might not want to go to the trouble of fixing a big meal for two. Those who are ill don’t have the energy and can’t get out and shop. College students whose families live far away can’t afford the expense or time to travel.

Marsha Keefer

Thanksgiving – a time to embrace family and friends, to reflect on one’s blessings and be grateful.

In many American homes, relatives sit down to a lavish spread, usually a roasted turkey central to the feast.

But for many, especially those who are alone, it’s not the quintessential family holiday.

That’s what prompted Gerald and Marlene Kislock of Rochester to act.

“We just started talking one night, my husband and I,” Marlene said. “We just thought there’s not enough being done for our community. Somebody has to do something. A lot of people are alone and need somewhere to go on Thanksgiving.”

And that’s how a free Thanksgiving Day dinner available to all started five years ago at St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church in Rochester.

This event, which started out with 30 guests, has grown every year, now attracting approximately 150, Marlene said, who enjoy turkey, ham and all the trimmings, including pumpkin and apple pies.

The Nov. 23 dinner, she said, is open to “anybody who wants to come. Families if they want.”

After the first year, volunteers, too, were “coming out of the woodwork,” she said, to help cook, serve and clean up, as well as donating money and food.

“When people started hearing about it they asked, ‘What can we do?’”

The third year, Second Baptist Church in Rochester partnered with St. Cecilia.

Prior to serving the meal, volunteers clasp hands and say grace.

“That whole circle goes completely around the hall, that’s how many people volunteer,” Marlene said.

She and Ruth Harris, a member of the Baptist church, start working in the kitchen on Monday and continue each day through Thanksgiving.

It’s a great feeling to give back, she said.

“I’m so happy we’re getting people to come. There are so many lonely people, it’s sad.”

And people in need, too, she said.

“We had a family with six children last year or two years ago. You could see they didn’t have anything. That’s what hurts.”

This year’s meal will be served from noon to 3 p.m. in the church’s social hall. Guests are asked to use the California Avenue entrance. Reservations are not required, but requested by calling the office at 724-775-0801.

Volunteer Josie Reed said the Thanksgiving Day dinner is the “perfect opportunity to come together … It is very nice.”

St. Cecilia is but one of several churches and organizations in Beaver County offering Thanksgiving dinners that nourish not only body, but spirit. And the dinners aren’t just for those who may not have financial resources, they say.

Some may have lost a spouse and find themselves far from family. Empty-nesters might not want to go to the trouble of fixing a big meal for two. Those who are ill don’t have the energy and can’t get out and shop. College students whose families live far away can’t afford the expense or time to travel.

For anyone in need of a Thanksgiving dinner and fellowship, here are several sites to consider:

Franklin Center’s Broadcast Street Café, 464 Franklin Ave., Aliquippa

The Franklin Center gets an early start on the holiday, serving a complete Thanksgiving dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 21.

The meal is free to all. Reservations are not required, but appreciated by calling 724-378-2882 by Nov. 17. The center has served as many as 150 guests, but is preparing for 125.

They are people who are homeless, clients, elderly residents of nearby high-rise apartment buildings, and grandparents with toddlers in tow for whom they care, said Franklin Center staff member Valerie McElvy.

The staff prepares and serves the meal and often sits with guests.

“We are part of them,” McElvy said. Plus, it’s an opportunity to converse and connect people with resources they may need.

“We can tell if there is a need and can bring up how we can help.”

Guests, she said, are “waiting for us. There’s a line waiting at the door for us to open.”

Many start asking in early November when the dinner will be held.

“It is a need that is there,” McElvy said. “They are so grateful.”

One man, she recalled, wanted to pay for his meal, but McElvy assured him it was free.

“All he had was $2, but he wanted to give,” she said, likening his donation to the biblical “widow’s mite. But that meant everything to him.”

Another man who had been in jail, turned his life around and wanted to give back to the community, she said. He showed up with $300 of non-perishable food items for the dinner.

“It’s just a humbling experience,” she said.

Uncommon Grounds Café, 380 Franklin Ave., Aliquippa

From 3 to 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, a free turkey dinner will be served to all.

Though reservations aren’t necessary, they are appreciated. Guests should call 724-375-6141 by Nov. 20.

Volunteers also are needed to help set up, serve and clean.

“We usually get a lot of people in the community who are homeless or in isolation that don’t have family to go and eat Thanksgiving with,” said Shianne Aaron, a café and women’s ministry worker.

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 101 10th Ave., New Brighton

This marks the eighth year of the free Thanksgiving Day dinner at the church, open to the community.

The meal is served at 1 p.m. Nov. 23. Reservations are suggested so volunteers know how much to prepare.

Guests should call 724-650-3054 by Nov. 22.

In the past, anywhere between 120 and 130 attend.

Diners are seated at long banquet tables to foster conversation and fellowship.

Coraopolis United Methodist Church, 1205 Ridge Ave., Coraopolis

Now in its fifth year, close to 200 people attend the free Thanksgiving Day dinner here that’s served from noon to 4 p.m. Though not required, reservations are welcome by calling 412-264-3727.

The church also delivers meals to emergency first responders in the Coraopolis and Moon Township areas as well as to the 911th Air Wing.

St. James Parish, 200 Walnut St., Sewickley

No one should spend Thanksgiving alone. That’s why St. James Parish offers a free dinner Thanksgiving Day to all in need, served in its school cafeteria.

The dinner is served at 1 p.m. To register, guests are asked to call 412-749-8172 or 412-741-6650, Ext. 310.

Anyone who wishes can bring a dessert to share.

Pathway Church, 239 Braun Road, Chippewa Township

For more than 10 years, Pathway Church partnered with First Presbyterian Church in Beaver Falls to serve a Thanksgiving Day dinner at the downtown church that at its pinnacle drew 230 people.

This year will be different. Instead of a sit-down dinner, Pathway will offer basket donations of non-perishable foods and gift cards to purchase a turkey, ham or meat of choice so families can enjoy Thanksgiving at home.

Pathway contacted area organizations such as Tiger Pause Youth Ministry, Trails Ministries and the Salvation Army, for example, to determine need, said Cory St. Esprit, outreach coordinator. Baskets will be delivered Nov. 20 and 21.

Anyone desiring a food basket can contact St. Esprit at 724-843-6381 or email him at cstesprit@lifeatpathway.com.

HOPA Foundation, 605 Midway Drive, Brighton Township

HOPA (Hellenic Orthodox People for Advancement) Foundation is dedicated to the preservation and cultivation of Greek history and culture. It also exists to benefit youth and elderly in surrounding communities.

For the past four years, George P. Kazas, president, said HOPA has been programming a variety of outreach programs through its connection with the Greek Orthodox Church in Aliquippa – Kimisis Tis Theotokou.

HOPA has sponsored a fundraising every year, most notably a golf outing each summer that people have “faithfully supported,” Kazas said.

It’s through their generosity, he added, that HOPA is able to do “something on a grander scale” to give back.

And that’s how this year’s “Feed a Family Thanksgiving” came to be.

The first 100 families to register by Nov. 17 will receive a free Thanksgiving meal in a box to take home and cook – turkey, stuffing, instant mashed potatoes, cans of vegetables, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, dessert – enough to feed a family of five.

Register online at www.myhopa.org or call 724-775-3255.

There are no eligibility requirements, but Kazas hopes those truly in need will register.

“Basically, it’s on the honor system,” he said.

Kazas said the board met with Dwan B. Walker, mayor of Aliquippa, and other area organizations such as the Salvation Army and school districts to identify families in need.

Meals can be picked up between 10 a.m. and noon Nov. 21 at the Greek Community Center at 2107 Davidson St.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.